It seems like remodeling always costs more and takes longer than homeowners plan for. Not only are there unforeseen repairs that need to be made, but they may even need to apply for permits.
A simple way to refresh a kitchen is to upgrade its cabinets. It’s a quick, cheap, and easy way to make an old kitchen look brand new.
To learn more about different ways to upgrade cabinets, check out the list of ideas below.
1. Paint the Cabinets
Painting kitchen cabinets provides the most dramatic transformation on this list. This project is also the most involved and the most costly, but it is still far cheaper than a full kitchen renovation.
To prepare the cabinets for painting, sand them down first. A spray application can create a really beautiful finish, but to do it right requires experience. Spray equipment will also drive up your expenses.
Oil-based paint cures faster than latex, potentially saving you weeks of time. As the paint cures, the cabinets should not be moved or used at all.
2. Update the Hardware
Pulls, knobs, and handles are some of the hardware in a kitchen that influences its design. These items are easily changed with a few spare minutes and a screwdriver.
Hardware is typically made from a variety of metals, including brass, copper, pewter, nickel, or silver. You can also find it in a variety of finishes — an antique or distressed finish, for example, gives a kitchen a rustic appeal.
3. Change the Cabinet Doors
Some kitchen remodeling jobs will elect to replace kitchen cabinets with entirely new ones. This, however, may cost thousands of dollars. A cheap way to provide the same effect is to simply switch out the cabinet doors with a style closer to your taste.
For example, beadboard is a classic, clean design that adds sophistication to any kitchen. It lends more texture to the kitchen, but make sure to complete this project before repainting. Additionally, to change your cabinet doors, you’ll need to learn how to install cabinet hinges.
4. Open up Some Shelves
When deciding what new cabinet doors to install, consider removing some. Smaller, lower cabinets can be opened up by removing their doors, giving a more open feeling to the kitchen.
You can use these shelves to display your favorite kitchen items and other decor.
5. Wallpaper the Interior
People rarely consider the interior area of the cabinets because they’re hidden behind the doors. If you choose to open some shelving up or replace the doors with glass inserts, this area will become visible.
This creates a unique design opportunity. You could simply paint the interior, but why not do something more fun, like use wallpaper? It can provide a needed pop of color or an interesting pattern to draw the eye.
Preparing to Upgrade Cabinets
To upgrade cabinets, start by planning out what you want to do, calculating your budget, and planning a rough timeline of the projects. For example, you may want to repaint the cabinets before you update the hardware. Of all these projects, repainting is the more difficult and time-consuming.
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